A few days later...
The weekend came to an end and it was time to get back to work. Tsukimori and Shuhei avoided each other for the most part, but when Monday came their captain assigned them both to a mission with a small contingent of men. Their mission was to hunt down a group of Hollows that were terrorizing one of the villages in the Rukongai. Tsukimori was silent as Shuhei issued orders to their men, not objecting in any way to working with him. It was captain's orders and she wasn't going to disobey.
They made short time in reaching the village, finding a lot of it had been destroyed by the Hollows. They tracked the Hollows into a small wooded area a mile down the road, quickly engaging them. They made quick work of the first three Hollows, but one of the two remaining went deeper into the woods while the other headed towards the village.
"The lieutenant and I can handle this one. The rest of you, protect that village!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
While their men hurried after the Hollow charging at the village, Tsukimori and Shuhei headed after the one that ran off deeper into the woods. They tracked it to a large cave, but the darkness of the woods made the darkness of the cave even darker.
"I can sense it, but I can't see it." Shuhei said, scanning the area. "We need to be careful."
"Leave it to me." Tsukimori said, her back to Shuhei's. "Rain down from the heavens, Tentai no Yumi!" Once she released the shikai, she drew the bow and fired an arrow straight into the air above them, calling out, "Sutabasuto!"
The arrow burst into a blinding light, illuminating the area and revealing that the Hollow had led them into a trap.
"Shit, they've got us surrounded..."
"We've got this."
Shuhei looked back at Tsukimori, who nodded. Knowing what she had in mind, he released his shikai as well and they began fending off the Hollows as they lunged for them from the shadows.
One down, two down, three, then four. It was as though there was no end to them.
"You pests don't know when to quit, do you?" Tsukimori dodged an attack, then called out, "Suisei danmaku!" and unleashed a barrage onto the Hollows. She was able to master the technique, no longer being able to hit only one target. She aimed the shots at each of the Hollows, turning in a complete circle until it was only one Hollow left- the one they had chased after.
"Tsuki, behind you!"
Tsukimori turned, but she wasn't quick enough and the Hollow's claws were coming down on her with blinding speed. Shuhei appeared in front of her, wrapping his arms around her as a shield while she fired an arrow at its mask- shattering it just in the nick of time. She and Shuhei tumbled to the ground from the force of him trying to get her out of the way and when their dizziness subsided from the recoil, they both blushed realizing how close they were. Shuhei had landed on top of Tsukimori, his knee at her pelvis, her hair pooled around her on the grass, their noses nearly touching.
"Are you OK?" Shuhei asked.
Tsukimori nodded, her embarrassment fading quickly when she saw Shuhei grimace in pain. She felt something wet on her hand and saw the blood. "Shu!"
Shuhei sat up, feeling the gashes left behind by the Hollow. "I'm fine, Tsuki..."
"No you're not, you're bleeding!" She sat at his side, ripping the shoulder of his uniform to expose the wound. "Idiot..." She immediately started healing his wound, patiently closing each of the gashes. "You didn't have to do that."
"It would have killed you, Tsuki." Shuhei retorted, wincing as the gashes closed one by one.
"I suppose I should thank you, then..." Tsukimori said, sighing. "You took the hit for me."
"I'd do it again if it meant keeping you safe."
Tsukimori met his gaze at that, blushing a bit before she returned her attention to the last gash. "Idiot... you don't have to keep protecting me..." The gash closed up and she rub the area the wound had been lightly to feel for any further damage. "Well, you got lucky; it won't scar." She stood, brushing her uniform free of dust. She turned to retrieve her zanpakuto as Shuhei stood, but he grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"What are you-" Tsukimori's eyes widened when he silenced her with a kiss.
Shuhei pulled her in, leaning down to deepen the kiss as his arm wrapped around her waist while his other hand cupped her cheek. When he pulled away, he looked down at her, reaching up to tuck her bangs behind her ear. "Thank you, Tsuki."
"I, um... you're welcome." Tsukimori's whole body was burning and she put her hands on his chest to push away. "We should... um... we should hurry and meet up with the others... make sure they're alright."
"You're probably right..."
Tsukimori looked up at Shuhei, letting him pull her in for another kiss and letting herself succumb to it. For so long she had wanted this, but she was never sure if it could or would even happen. And yet, here she was kissing the guy she had been in love with for over forty years.
When Tsukimori and Shuhei had returned to the village, they were pleased to see that their men had defeated the Hollow and there were no serious injuries. Tsukimori healed what little injuries there were, most of them being villagers, before they headed back to the Seireitei to report in.
Tsukimori was pulled away for something, so Shuhei reported to Kaname alone- wanting to find her when he was finished for the day.
As he looked for her, he found himself smiling. He finally admitted to himself that he had feelings for her and he had been the one to make the first move. He just hoped it was the right one.